Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-17
COACHMEN'S LIVES.
Certainly, They Are Not Always
Happy Ones.
What Chicago Coachmen Themselves Say
About Matters - Moderate Pay and
| Good Living-A Thoughtful Mas
ter and . Mean One.I

About Matters - Moderate Pay and
! Good Living-A Thoughtful Mas
ter and Mean One.i
Of the various occupations which
men are called upon to fill or seek to
follow as means of livelihood, proba-
bly, private coachman's daily life has
fewer historians than any other. Be-
yond the immediate surroundings of
his own associates or outside acquaint-
ances he is generally thought to pass
very humdrum though not altogether
hard life.
Taking advantage of the brief stops
made by the drivers of the many pri-
vate carriages that drove up to large
retail store on State street, a reporter
questioned many of them regarding
their occupation, duties, hours of work,
and the remuneration therefrom. In
substance and collectively they said
that they were usually engaged by the
month, and to get good position ref
erences from previous employer were
an absolute necessity. Their work be-
gins usually at from five to six o'clock
in the morning and without Interrupt
ton, except in very bad weather,
often extends far into the night,
and sometimes into the morn
ing hours. 1t is not an UNI
usual thing to make from three to
five separate trips in day, and re-
quiring a changing of either vehicle or
removal or harness each time of going
out. In most cases they have to take
care of their own stock, although some
families keep second man, who.
besides doing general house chores,
has to keep the carriage washed up and
assist with other work in the barn.
The usual method of hiring includes
board and lodging generally in the
stables). as most of this class of men
are single. Wages vary from S25 to
$50 per month, according to conditions
and length of service-the average
price being about $40 month, with
board. Some few are men of families
who live at home and who are paid in
excess of the highest figures above
named, where long term of service,
combined with experience and steadi-
ness. has received proper recognition.
1t was also learned that with many
families great deal of clothing was
furnished to barn men gratuitously in
addition to the necessary liveried suits
worn in public. Such articles as caps,
gloves. fur capes and top boots are in
variably furnished by employers.
''When we wish to get off for week
or so,' said one driver spoken to, ..it
is customary for us to get our own sub
stitute to take our place until we re-
turn. 1t is not difficult to get men
who will fill our places for week, or
n month even, as almost every livery
stable has extra men around who are
only too glad to get full week IS work,
and very often with better board than
they are accustomed to at their board
lighthouses. We have no society or
union of any kind at present, nor is there
any kind of cooperation for our mutu-
al benefit, or relief of sick or disabled
men who follow this business for liv-
ing. The Coachmen's Union which
was in existence about seven years
ago was not well supported, and with
its more or less discordant factions
was soon useless, and finally played
out"
''Do coachmen ever get rich or in in
dependent circumstances from their ex-
erticns in that field?" was asked.
'.Do coachmen ever get rich? Well
that's hard question you've asked
me. Had You said: DO they ever get
poor?' should have said yes, for the
most of US are always poor. Well, it's
like this: Of course very many good
drivers get fair wages and have prac-
tically no living expenses beyond a
purchase of luxuries which all classes
of men do indulge in to some extent.
/ know a good many drivers who could
save a snug little sum every month out
of their wages. if they choose to do so.
but l must say that among my own
large acquaintance, which have been
made during the last eight years have
been driving, they are all. with but
three or four exceptions. poor men.
A very few. indeed, have saved money.
/ can recall two men who started
saloons and got along very well. It's
a curious fact that q retired coachman
win drop into the saloon business
Quicker than any other branch oftrade.